What issues are priorities of yours and, if elected, how would you address them?

We must revitalize and grow Hopedale's economy to reduce the tax burden on residents and increase revenue for our town. We can do this by zoning commercial judiciously, becoming more business friendly, and promoting the growth of current businesses. This should be done while maintaining our small-town feel. Hopedale should continue sensible budgeting and spending, treating tax revenue as the people’s money, and be persistent in its search for grants from the state and federal governments.

I want to develop a strategy for fighting the opioid crisis, taking new approaches to this problem as a town such as implementing a “Safe Station," increasing accessibility to narcan and more education on this epidemic.

It is a necessity that we have responsible, transparent and accessible town government. This means addressing all issues with the values of professionalism, civility and respect. Implementing greater technology into town government and having a social media presence will encourage civic engagement and make information more available to residents.

I want to preserve and enhance our Hopedale community, having more community events and supporting more recreational and family-friendly areas. Hopedale should be aesthetically pleasing, and we should preserve our town’s rich history.

We should reopen the discussion with the citizens of Hopedale on the future of the Draper Mill complex. There are incredible opportunities with this property and it should be a priority for our community to see change. I want to re-establish the Draper Complex Reuse Committee and work in cooperation with the current property owner.

Website: McCarthyForSelectman.com

Facebook page: @McCarthyForSelectman

Twitter handle: @JohnEMcCarthy

Name: Brian Keyes

Age: 48

Residence: Plain Street

Education: B.A. degree, marketing and management, Assumption College

Employment: manager, North American Recruiting for Sales, for Salesforce.com

Political experience: I am currently chairman of the Hopedale Planning Board and have been on this board since September 2013.

Other community service: I have been a head coach for spring and summer programs for the Hopedale Youth Baseball League for several years.

What issues are priorities of yours and, if elected, how would you address them?

I have a concern about our ability to stabilize, if not even provide some residential tax relief to our residents of Hopedale. We wish for a high level of services and assistance across our great town. With a commercial tax percentage below the average in Massachusetts, we need to look for ways to expand without disruption, but a keen eye on development that will occur in the next 20-plus years.

An initiative I am proud of under the Planning Board is the Adult Entertainment Overlay Zone. This was not about limiting this kind of business to operate freely, this was about protecting the vast majority or residents and children in Hopedale and telling (these businesses) where they could only do business.

I also want to be a further voice and advocate to build on the efforts and hard work and accomplishments our community, law enforcement, schools and the Task Force have done around the crisis with illicit drugs and opioid epidemic. It’s a tragedy when any town loses a life because of this crisis. There are outstanding efforts in our town around education, action and prevention that are valuable and sustainable to combat this epidemic.

Lastly, it is my priority to commit and be dedicated to this office. I have a long and successful track record in business, I have been a taxpayer in this town for over 12 years, and chose to raise a family in the school system. I ask you for your vote on May 9 so that we can take a broader and exciting journey together as selectman for your town of Hopedale.

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